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CHAPTER 31.

 

            LORD LITTMASS at once detected in his visitor’s manner a nervousness which, by its contrast with his usual good-humoured jauntiness, indicated his pre-occupation with something more than mere business. The information obtained on the previous day supplied Lord Littmass with a clue, and placed him on his guard. No one knew better than he how to encourage another to speak freely on that which he wished to hear, or to discourage him from approaching an unwelcome subject. He had no idea what Mr. Tresham could have to say, that he should dislike to hear, but he perceived by the general combination of persons and circumstances, that personal as well as business matters might be bought forward. His plan, therefore, would be to cut the interview short by restricting it to business. To do this without offending Mr. Tresham, to whom he was under considerable obligations, might require very careful management.

 

            ‘Very much engaged just now, my dear sir, but always at your service. Pray be seated. A satisfactory report from our Mexican commissioner, I trust?’

 

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            ‘It is in respect to our Mexican enterprise that I have intruded on your lordship this morning. Mr. Maynard, your lordship’s protégé, has proved so worthy of the trust confided to him, that we are anxious to secure his services permanently, and to send him back without loss of time.’

 

            ‘I have been expecting a visit from him, but, as he has not called, I presume that he is out of town.’

 

            ‘He has been absent, but has now returned. My nephew, who knew something of him at the University, and has the highest regard for him, invited him to stay with us, and he is now at my house.’

 

            ‘I am delighted to hear of this, for it affords you an admirable opportunity of ascertaining his character and efficiency. I assure you that I know of no obstacle to his early, his immediate, return to Mexico. I presume that there is no hitch about the purchase-money?’

 

            ‘None whatever, so far as I am aware. Your lordship knows the terms agreed on. I am prepared to be even more liberal if I get my own way in certain details of arrangement.’

 

            ‘I presume, then, that all that remains is for Mr. Maynard to be presented to the Board, and to have his appointment formally ratified, and then to repair to Mexico to make preparations and to await the remittance of the capital. Or, is it proposed to send that with or by him?’

 

            ‘It is proposed to remit the first instalment to the bankers in Mexico, direct, and to open a working credit with them in time for Mr. Maynard to avail himself of it immediately upon his arrival. But ––’

 

            ‘Nay, I see no room for a “but,” if all be so satisfactory and straightforward.’

 

            ‘The fact is, my lord,’ continued Tresham, speaking with hesitation, as if aware that he was about to tread upon delicate ground; ‘the fact is, that in an operation of this nature, which involves the employment of a considerable capital, and extends over a series of years in a distant country, we business men always think it wise to look closely into the peculiar circumstances of our responsible agents. However sound the enterprise may be in itself, its commercial success must be largely influenced by the character and habits of the person at its head. To give you an illustration. The proceeds of a silver mine depend in a very great measure on minute details in the method and economy of working. In the absence of constant and close

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supervision, not merely may the valuable masses of pure metal – which are sometimes found in the ore be abstracted by the workmen, but inferior ores may be hastily rejected as unworthy the trouble of putting them through the various processes, while those inferior ores are in reality, by their abundance, the mainstay of the mine. The ores may, also, be thrown aside when only half worked; – in short, it is eminently desirable that our resident manager should be truly resident, and therefore one to whom the social attractions of city or country offer little inducement for absenting himself from the scene of his labours.’

 

            ‘And you therefore wish to have from me a sort of guarantee or testimonial to Mr. Maynard’s steadiness of character and application to work? Well, I am quite sure that I can conscientiously guarantee him to be all that we can wish in these respects. He is a born hermit and student, has always shunned what is called “society,” and I doubt if he has ever had an hour’s illness beyond fatigue from over-work.’

 

            ‘This is all eminently satisfactory; but I think your lordship will agree in the propriety of our following the example of many of our large mercantile houses in similar cases, and looking upon our chief and responsible employee as human: that is, as having the same nature and disposition as other men, and therefore not exempt from the necessity of having such provision made for securing his interests as well as our own.’

 

            ‘Hang the fellow, what is he driving at with all this circumlocution?’ thought Lord Littmass. But he only said, –

 

            ‘I am doing my best to follow you. Pray be explicit.’

 

            ‘Well, then, my lord, we, that is, I and my fellow-directors, think it indispensable that our resident agent and representative in Mexico be a married man. And on mentioning this to my nephew, Noel, I learnt to my surprise and great satisfaction, that it is Mr. Maynard’s most earnest wish to be married before he again proceeds to Mexico.’

 

            ‘Indeed! and do you know to whom?’

 

            ‘I do know; but allow me to add that it is not the mere fact of their agent being married that far-looking, mercantile men take into their account. They consider also the character of the wife, and the probability of her being one liable by her habits and associations to lead the husband to neglect his duty for other and frivolous pursuits. It is therefore a great pleasure to me to be able to say that in the present instance all that is known of the lady chosen is so immensely in her favour as a

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quiet and domestic gentlewoman of cultivated mind and high principle, that I regard her influence on her husband, our agent, as worth, commercially speaking, a very large percentage to the proprietors.’

 

            Lord Littmass’s expression of countenance during the delivery of this speech would have made an invaluable study for any student of physiognomy capable of looking below the surface. At its conclusion he could not resist gazing up into Mr. Tresham’s face with undisguised admiration for the sublime, yet apparently unconscious, art with which the old merchant had converted what was really an officious and impertinent meddling with his most secret affairs, into a simple matter of concern for the success of the enterprise in which they had a common interest. But he only said, quietly, –

 

            ‘Mr. Maynard has never spoken to me either of his wish, or of the lady.’

 

            ‘Nor to me. He is a gentleman who excites all respect and reserve in our intercourse. But my nephew, who is a friend more nearly of his own age and standing, and who knows a good deal more about him than he has learnt from himself, assures me of the fact, and sympathises thoroughly with him in the matter.’

 

            ‘Well, I presume that Mr. Maynard does not consider himself bound to consult me in his choice of a wife. And he probably knows that I have his interests too much at heart to encourage him in a step that would at least involve his giving up his fellowship for what must be but a precarious appointment.’

 

            ‘I think, my lord, that there is another reason why he has hesitated to bring the matter forward until he has a prospect of being able to maintain a wife ––’

 

            ‘Then let us imitate his delicacy and reserve, and leave the subject entirely in his own hands until he shall think fit to broach it. You have mentioned your nephew – Mr. Noel, – Mr. Edmund Noel, I believe? – a young gentleman for whom I have the greatest regard, having observed that he is possessed of high principles, good understanding, honourable aims, and fair means of support. In a word, he has struck me as one to whom any good woman might attach herself, and whom any good parent might desire for his daughter: and, combining in my mind his own merits with the advantage he possesses in his near connection and friendship with yourself, I have suffered a little

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plan for the future to engage my attention, which I cannot do better than place before you at this moment. Only premising further that if you have any special reason for believing that it would be distasteful to Mr. Noel, you will oblige me by dismissing the whole matter from your mind. I have, as you may, or may not, be aware, a young lady as my ward, the daughter of a relative, entrusted to me by her parents, who died while she was an infant. I have had her brought up with the greatest care, and in strict seclusion from all those influences which are now-a-days so apt to impair the tone and character of young people. She is beautiful, gentle, highly accomplished, and has not yet been introduced. My only ambition for her is to see her happily settled; and judging from the peculiar characteristics of Mr. Noel and herself, I believe them to be admirably adapted to each other.’

 

            ‘But this is Mr. Maynard’s––’

 

            ‘Pardon me,’ said Lord Littmass, with a deprecatory wave of his hand; ‘we have agreed that it will be more delicate not to discuss that gentleman’s affairs until he shall think proper to broach them himself. I was about to say that in proposing an alliance between your house and mine by a marriage between your nephew and my ward, my only regret is that I cannot bestow on her a fortune worthy of them both. She will be considered in my will, but at present she has nothing. I do not, however, anticipate any objection on that score when once the parties have become acquainted with and attached to each other, which latter event my observation of natural affinities convinces me would be the result of the former. It will be best for you to say nothing to Mr. Noel on the subject of this conversation, and I on my part will be perfectly reserved with the young lady. But, if you make no objection to my proposition, I will arrange an opportunity for a meeting, at which their mutual attractions may operate uninfluenced by any prepossessions.’

 

            ‘Flattered as I and my nephew may be by your lordship’s proposal,’ returned Tresham, ‘it nevertheless appears to me to be based upon the omission, on your lordship’s part, of certain important considerations. Your encomiums upon young Noel gratify me much, for I believe them to be fully justified. But, as I comprehend matters, it is that very character which will prove an invincible obstacle to the scheme. He is a man of the strictest honour, and therefore is one who would never consent to step in and supplant his friend in the affections he believes himself to have won.’

 

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            Lord Littmass here made a gesture of impatience at this renewed reference to James Maynard; but Mr. Tresham disregarded it, and went on with determination:

 

            ‘There is but one way to realise the wishes you have expressed on this subject; and that is for the young lady to freely declare that Mr. Maynard’s pretensions are distasteful to her. His dismissal by herself alone will clear the way. But I must acknowledge to your lordship that however gladly I might fall in with the wishes you have expressed, my interest in Mr. Maynard’s happiness and welfare (to say nothing of our Mexican adventure) is so great that I have resolved to forward his views to the extent of my ability, and shall be deeply disappointed if I fail.’

 

            ‘I really must observe,’ said Lord Littmass, ‘that at this moment it is you who speak in ignorance of the circumstances: and as those circumstances nearly affect myself, I must decline to continue the conversation in this direction.’

 

            ‘Your lordship compels me to go farther than I wished or intended to go, but I must state, in justification of the course I am taking, that I have good reason for supposing that I am acquainted with all the circumstances.’

 

            ‘You speak as if the list were a long one,’ remarked Lord Littmass with a scarcely perceptible sneer.

 

            ‘The items may not be numerous, but they are individually weighty,’ returned Tresham, with emphasis; ‘and I commend them to your lordship with a view to a re-consideration of your decision. The exercise of justice and natural affection is not beneath the respect even of Lord Littmass. I wish you a very good morning.’

 

            Amazed at his dignity and firmness, as well as at the extent of the knowledge implied by his closing words, Lord Littmass suffered his visitor to reach the door before he could reply. There were many reasons why he could not afford to quarrel with Mr. Tresham; and he felt anxious to find out how much was really known by him. So he called after him, –

 

            ‘One moment, I beg. Pray may I ask to whom you are indebted for any information you may have obtained respecting my most private affairs?’

 

            ‘I never give up my authority,’ returned the old merchant. ‘But I will not grudge your lordship the satisfaction of knowing that it is not from Mr. Maynard: that he is, as yet, in complete ignorance of the facts to which I have alluded; and that

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it depends entirely upon your lordship how long such ignorance may continue.’

 

            ‘Thank heaven!’ murmured Lord Littmass to himself. ‘He is staying with you, I think you said? May I request you to tell him that I am expecting to see him?’

 

            Mr. Tresham bowed and took his departure, wondering at the hardness in real life, of the man who had in his writings shown himself a master of tenderness; and puzzling himself to find the motive of Lord Littmass’s aversion to his son, or at least to his son’s marriage.

 

            This interview was the result of a long conversation which Mr. Tresham had held overnight, first with Noel and Maynard together, in which he had become strongly impressed in Maynard’s favour; and then with Noel alone, in which the old man had been completely won over to the cause so warmly espoused by Sophia Bevan.

 

            ‘I shall not have much of a success to tell Edmund of,’ he said to himself, as he walked towards his offices in the city, where they had agreed to meet: ‘but I have driven in the first nail just about far enough to ascertain where the quick is. I suspect my lord’s greatest enemy is his own pride. He will not be dictated to even by circumstances. Even when one is doing him a service he acts as if he were conferring a favour in accepting it. Never mind, we all have our own ways, pleasant or unpleasant; and in dealing with men we must learn to give and take, or the world would never get on. The question now is, what is the next step to be taken? Having once commenced the attack, it should be followed by a rapid succession of blows before the enemy has time to arrange his defence. Shall I tell Edmund of the offer I have had for him? It is almost too good to keep to myself. Or, shall I tell Mr. Maynard of it? It might stimulate him to action, and be a useful weapon against his ––ah! I wonder what he will do or say when he knows that. No, I will tell neither at present. Mr. Maynard shall see Lord Littmass without knowing a word of this morning’s conversation. Time enough afterwards, if necessary.’ And having settled his plans, he hailed a cab and drove into the city.

 

            Noel was not long in making his appearance. He held a letter in his hand, and said, in a tone of vexation, –

 

            ‘Miss Bevan has just written to say that she and Lady Bevan have come to town hoping to take Miss Waring to Linnwood, and begging me to go and see them at once.’

 

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            ‘And what hinders?’

 

            ‘Only that I have arranged to work all the afternoon at my writing with Maynard, and cross from Southampton to France to-night, as it is absolutely necessary for the completion of my work that I pay a visit to Carnac.’

 

            ‘What! going to Thebes?’

 

            ‘No, no, the Druidical, or rather Phœnician, remains in Brittany.’

 

            ‘Then go. Let your work be good and thorough at any cost, however trifling the subject may be.’

 

            ‘But about this note, and the Bevans?’

 

            ‘Give it to me. I will see them. You can be spared now better than ever. The Prussians have come up, my boy, and they shall take the enemy in flank, and finish the business I have begun this morning.’

 

            ‘You speak like a Wellington,’ said Noel, laughing.   ‘Tell me what has passed.’

 

            ‘Simply this. His lordship was not in the best of humours at my interference, but he wound up by giving me a message for Mr. Maynard to call on him.’

 

            ‘Then I had better go and tell him so at once. Was any time named?’

 

            ‘None: and I am doubtful if it will be well for him to call before the, Bevan ladies have had an opportunity of exercising their mollifying influence in his favour. This note says that Lord Littmass cannot see them till to-morrow. That is awkward. No, I have it. Tell Mr. Maynard to write to Lord Littmass saying he was about to call to-day, but that hearing through some friends that he is very much occupied, he will be obliged if his lordship will name his own time for seeing him. And in the mean time the two ladies shall see him first. You said, I think, that the ward is niece to Lady Bevan, and that Lady Bevan intends to befriend her?’

 

            ‘So Sophia tells me.’

 

            ‘Then it is important for our friend to conciliate the aunt. He and Miss Bevan can manage this between them, so that you are free.’

 

 

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